Swordfish (clipper)
Swordfish was an 1851 clipper ship which has been called William H. Webb’s masterpiece. She is known for her record-breaking race to San Francisco with the clipper Flying Fish.
“On her first passage out to San Francisco a race was arranged for large stakes between her and the Flying-fish, a Boston record-breaker, built by the great designer, Donald McKay. The Sword-fish won, making the trip in ninety-two days,—the second best record ever made,—her rival taking ninety-eight days.” [2]
History | |
---|---|
Name: | Swordfish |
Owner: | Barclay & Livingston |
Builder: | William H. Webb |
Launched: | 1851 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | Extreme clipper |
Tons burthen: | 1,036 tons |
Length: | 169 ft. 6 in. |
Beam: | 36 ft. 6 in. |
Draft: | 20 ft.[1] |
The race took place in the fall the Sword Fish sailed out of Boston and the Flying Fish out of New York. The Flying Fish led to the equator by 4 days, but they both went round the Horn neck and neck. The Sword Fish would do the journey in 90 days, the Flying Fish in 98 1/2. Her career best record time to San Francisco was 92 days.[3]
References
- Bruzelius, Lars (1998-08-13). "Sailing Ships: Swordfish (1851)". The Maritime History Virtual Archives. Retrieved Oct 2, 2011.
- Bank of the Manhattan Company, Walton Advertising and Printing Company (1915). Ships and shipping of old New York: a brief account of the interesting ... Boston, Mass.: International Marine. p. 56. ISBN 0-07-014501-6.
- Clarke, Captain Arthur H.; Howe, Dr. O. T. (1913). Some Ships of the Clipper Era. State Street Trust Company. p. 20. Retrieved 3 August 2019.